Auxiliary rearview mirror assembly for attachment to a side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror

Abstract

A rearview mirror assembly is provided for auxiliary attachment to a conventional side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror. The assembly includes a housing defining a rear surface having adhesive thereon for attaching the assembly to the conventional rearview mirror. The assembly further includes a first flat or convex mirror positioned within the housing in first predetermined relationship with the rear surface and a second convex mirror positioned within the housing in second predetermined relationship with the rear surface. The blind spot of the conventional rearview mirror is substantially eliminated and the viewing range is increased by use of the rearview mirror assembly in combination with the conventional rearview mirror.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A rearview mirror assembly for attachment to a side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror, said assembly comprising: a housing defining a substantially flat rear surface;   first means in operative relationship with said rear surface for attaching said assembly to said rearview mirror;   a first substantially flat mirror positioned within said housing in first predetermined relationship with said rear surface; and   a second convex mirror positioned within said housing in second predetermined relationship with said rear surface.   
     
     
       2. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 1 wherein said first mirror defines an angle of from two degrees to three degrees with respect to said rear surface. 
     
     
       3. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 2 wherein said second convex mirror defines first and second ends and wherein an imaginary chord which passes through said ends defines an angle of from fourteen degrees to sixteen degrees with respect to said rear surface. 
     
     
       4. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 3 wherein said second convex mirror defines a surface of substantially seven and one-half inches in radius. 
     
     
       5. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 4 wherein said first means include adhesive. 
     
     
       6. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 5 wherein said first mirror is positioned above said second mirror. 
     
     
       7. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 5 in combination with a side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror wherein said side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror is substantially flat. 
     
     
       8. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 5 in combination with a side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror wherein said side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror is convex. 
     
     
       9. A rearview mirror assembly for attachment to a side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror, said assembly comprising: a housing defining a rear surface;   first means in operative relationship with said rear surface for attaching said assembly to said rearview mirror;   a first convex mirror positioned within said housing in first predetermined relationship with said rear surface; and   a second convex mirror positioned within said housing in second predetermined relationship with said rear surface.   
     
     
       10. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 9 wherein said first convex mirror defines first and second ends and wherein an imaginary chord which passes through said ends defines an angle of from two degrees to three degrees with respect to said rear surface. 
     
     
       11. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 10 wherein said first convex mirror defines a surface having a radius of curvature of from sixteen inches to eighteen inches. 
     
     
       12. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 11 wherein said second convex mirror defines first and second ends and wherein an imaginary chord which passes through said ends of said second convex mirror defines an angle of from fourteen degrees to sixteen degrees with respect to said rear surface. 
     
     
       13. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 12 wherein said second convex mirror defines a surface having a radius of curvature of substantially seven and one-half inches. 
     
     
       14. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 13 wherein said first means include adhesive. 
     
     
       15. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 14 wherein said first mirror is positioned above said second mirror. 
     
     
       16. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 14 in combination with a side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror wherein said side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror is substantially flat. 
     
     
       17. A rearview mirror assembly as in claim 14 in combination with a side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror wherein said side-mounted vehicle rearview mirror is convex.